The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned alleged harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrest of its Chieftains and supporters by Nigeria Police without trial, ahead of Edo State gubernatorial election slated for
September 21st 2024.
Director General
Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen made the allegation on Sunday at a Press briefing in Benin City where urged the police to be neutral as perform their duties.
Iduoriyekemwen alleged that some policemen suspected to be from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Headquarters in Abuja are believed to have been orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that some State government officials have been put on watchlist by police with a view to arrest and trump up charges against them or keep them in detention without trial before and during the forthcoming governorship election.
“These policemen have since the onset of their sinister operations arrested some of our party members, including Mr Amos Tom , and Hon. Kingsley Osahon, the Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area, along with several others whose whereabout are currently unknown.
“We are also aware that they have compiled a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the State’s three senatorial districts, and even procured fake court warrants of arrest with names of PDP members, whom they plan to abduct to weaken the PDP ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024”, according to him.
He listed the names of PDP Chieftains on police radar to include, but not limited to Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief B. Olukoga, Mr Festus Osaigbovo, Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, among others whose identities have yet-to-be confirmed.
He further stated it’s unfortunate that the APC is busy deploying underhand tactics to undermine the democratic process and subvert the wishes of Edo voters in their bid to present their :hard-to-sell
gubernatorial Candidate’, Senator Monday Okpebholo, while the PDP’s Candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, is diligently working, moving from Ward to Ward and Local Government to Local Government actively campaigning across various platforms, articulating their programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State.
Iduoriyekemwen accused the APC of attempting to weaponize the police against the people because they know they have a defective and unmarketable Candidate and cannot win under any circumstance in a free, fair and credible election.
“Their only strategy is to use what they term federal might to harass and intimidate opposition parties into submission in their quest to secure electoral victory through subterfuge”, he said.
The Director General
Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council,
called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), other stakeholders and the international community to turn their attention to the State and take note of the unfolding developments.
Iduoriyekemwen, a former Majority Leader of Edo State House of Assembly, wondered why the law enforcement Agency is yet to invited Mr Phillip Shaibu, and other actors linked to the July 18th 2024 Airport Road mayhem that claimed the life of a policeman, assuring however that PDP will not succumb to the whips and caprices of APC against PDP members and its supporters, ahead of the imminent defeat that awaits APC at the poll.
But the Public Relations officer of the Nigeria Police Command in the State, SP Moses Yamu, advised TheNewspad to direct its inquiry to Abuja.
“Abuja is not under Edo Command sir. But will find out and revert sir”, SP Yamu, assured.
Also responding, the Director of Publicity
APC Edo governorship campaign Council, Mr Orobosa Omo-Ojo, described the accusation by PDP Campaign team as a “mischievous propaganda to cover up their failure to articulate campaign strategy which has become obvious with their dwindling members”.
He denied any harassment of PDP in the State, insisting those linked to the Airport Road mayhem should face prosecution.
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